We arrived in The Peach State, via Ottawa and Chicago, on April 21st , 2006 and immediately noticed that Southerners warranted their friendly reputation. We took care to mention the purpose of our visit -- to mine gems for an engagement ring -- at every opportunity, because in addition to our natural excitement to do so, we had heard it could earn us complimentary upgrades and similar perks. As Eric later noted, though, in a reference destined to be lost on all but diehard fans of television show Futurama, "We got a big mule on that." Marla did, however, receive a lovely congratulatory embrace and well-wishes from a staffer at the hotel restaurant as we enjoyed a fantabulous meal.